70s Nightclub Style Returns for a Revival: Shaggy Coats Are the Festive Season's Must-Have
Although the legendary New York nightclub Studio 54 shut its doors almost four decades ago, its distinct style impact remains powerful.
This season, the focus isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the plush, shaggy coats and wraps worn by celebrities and club-goers alike.
With the festive social calendar coming up, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is experiencing a significant resurgence.
Shopping Data Shows the Trend
Among the hottest items from a latest partnership between a high-street brand and a designer brand is a cropped, cream, shaggy jacket with oversized lapels.
At another retailer, online queries for brown fake fur coats have jumped 190% year on year.
The demand for pre-owned fuzzy finds is also rising, with searches for faux fur growing by 257% in the past six months on a major resale website.
"This is a statement coat," says a lead style expert, explaining that it serves as the main element of an ensemble.
The editor likes to style her personal oversized furry version with low-rise jeans or leggings and short shorts.
Television Fashion Mirrors the Trend
This style is replicated in a latest Netflix romantic comedy series, where a sister sports a toffee-colored furry jacket to a casual dinner.
When questioned about her bold outfit, the character replies, "You told us to dress up. It's fashion!"
The Rise of the "Boom Boom" Aesthetic
The trend fits into what a U.S. style analyst is terming "glam excess."
Inspired by the extravagance and opulence of the 1980s New York, this aesthetic evokes wads of cash, bubbly, smoking, short skirts, loose morals and, naturally, fuzzy textures.
Like that time, the trend is set against a volatile financial climate.
This style is all about dressing for the life you aspire to rather than the one you have to endure.
Contemporary Materials and Playful Luxury
While real fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's heyday, today's versions are primarily made from shearling—a byproduct of the food industry—or man-made materials like polyester.
The trend embodies a knowing opulence—like a famous Muppet has taken over with exaggerated silhouettes and unexpected hues.
Celebrity Adoption and Limited Releases
An English creator was an pioneer of this movement. Her fluffy coats with curly textures have been sported by famous pop stars.
Because of high interest, these coats are now only sold in exclusive collections. An forthcoming launch includes a rose and grey style akin to a giant pom-pom, alongside animal and zebra-print options with dramatic fuzzy frou-frou.
"When you can only buy a single item, you don't want it to be a plain jumper or a pair of ordinary trousers, you want a standout piece," explains a magazine editor-in-chief.
The sentiment is echoed by a fashion director at a major retailer, who describes it "an unexpected, playful touch" that avoids the need for a whole new ensemble.
Final Mood Booster
In the end, the fuzzy coat can act as a great pick-me-up.
"It doesn't have to cost a fortune," notes the editor, "and it will make you feel glamorous when the world around you is pretty dreary."